Casing for light-signs and signaling apparatus



NOV. 29, 1932. fj

CASING FOR LIGHT SIGNS AND SIGNALING APPARATUS Filed March 10, 1930 Patented Nov. 29, 1932 annonn Leaner wanna, awarene- GMINQ FOE; IiIGT-I'lY SIGihS AND BEGHALIHG AEPAMTUES application filed march re, 1980, teriallt'o. 4.34.475, and in Germany and naechoalovekla January 27, 1930.

Applications have been filed in Germany Also Figure t shows a vertical section taken on J an. 27, 1930, Gzechoslovakia J an. 27, 1930, Austria Jan. 28, 1930, and Switzerland Jan. 23,1930. This invention relates to a casing for lightsigns and signaling apparatus. The casings of devices used for this purpose, when they are intended for use in the 0 en, and more particularly when they are su jected to constant vibration or shaking, are difficult to keep tight, since it is impossible to prevent cracks forming round the windows or apertures intended for the transmission of light. @onsequently moistureand dust penetrate into the interior of the casing, as in the case of the rear lights of vehicles, and cause damage to the apparatus contained therein.

In accordance with the present invention,

' these drawbacks are avoided in that the por- 20 tion of the casing containing the lighting aperture or apertures is formed of an artificial substance in one piece witln irregular wall-thickness, in such a manner that only such portions as are intended for the trans mission of light are transparent or translucent. For this purpose all such artificial substances can be used, as, in their natural state or coloured, are entirely or practically opaque in thicker layers, but transparent 0 or translucent in thin layers. Artificial resins, compressed substances, etc., e. g. bakelite can suitably be employed, and the required portionof the casing can be formed in these substances by a pressing process. As a further stage in the realization of the present invention, thesigns, words, or the like intended for signaling can be formed in one piece with the portion of the casing in 40 question. To this end either the portions of the surface of the wall of the casing corresponding to these signs or the portions constituting the spaces between the signs are formed suitably thin and consequently trans- 45 parent.

The subject matter of, the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which shows, by we. of example, the casing of a rear light or vehicles, in Figs. 1

5c and 2 in section, and in Fig. 3 in elevation.

' sity for a special stencil or-pattern for the diametrically through Figure 3.

The casing is in the form of the body of a round box, the cylindrical-wall l of which is dimensioned suiiiciently thick to ensure the required strength, and 15 provided with a step 2 in its thickened rin'ifor the reception of a covering plate to whichthe electric signaling device proper is fitted. In the present instance the casing is divided into two compartments by means of a partition 3 formed in one piece with'the casing itself. The lower of these two compartments contains' the rear light, which burns continuously after dark, and the other contains the lamp for a stop sign, adapted to be switched on as occasion demands. The base plate of the casing below the partition 3 is made so thin (Fig. 2) that it is transparent or translucent, so that when the rear light is burning a bright segment is visible. The upper portion of the floor or base of the casin 15 of the same thickness as the cylindrica walling except 'for s arings 4 corresponding to the letters of t e word Stop (Fig. 1) In the spared portions the floor is as thin as in the lower compartment, and therefore transparent, i. e. pervious to light. The written sign thus constitutes one piece with the floor or base ot the casing. A bolt 5 is embedded in the material of the partition 3 and its free end is threaded, and serves for the attachment of the covering plate to the casing, and of the entire apparatus to the vehicle.

Since no joint of any kind is provided within the range of the light-emitting apertures, the penetration of moisture or dust on the front or window side of the apparatus is rendered absolutely impossible. The same danger can easily be averted for the rearward side by the provision of a suitably effective packing to the covering plate. The necessign to be signaled is avoided, implying simplification of the construction. The artificial material used can be coloured for the purpose of obtaining the desired signal'in light, and would therefore be provided wit 00 the addition of red colouringv matter for the rear light of power-driven vehicles.

The described window has the further advantage over the thin transparent sheets of cellon or mica hitherto used, that it remains unaffected by moisture and heat, and is therefore not su ject to warping. The smooth outer surface of the front of the casing. prevents the settlement of dust and dirt. Further the means of attachment and packing hitherto necessary with inserted windows are dispensed with.

The invention can be advantageously applied to every branch of signaiing, whenever there is a need for a casing embodying lightin windows or apertures, which shall be ahso utely dampand dust-proof on the window or aperture side. If the signs or letters themselves are rendered opaque by the thickening of the corresponding portions of the wall or base of the casing, they constitute an ARNOLD LUBL.

effective means of stiffening or bracing for J the ortion of the. casing containing the lighting apertures.

I claim:

1. A signal casing comprising an integral cup-shaped member, an integral partition dividing said easing into upper and lower compartments, and extending for the full depth of said cup-shaped member to entirely separate said compartments, said casing and partition being formed of translucent material having a degree of light obstruction proportional to its thickness, an integral bottom portion formed in the upper compartment with relatively deep depressions conformin in outline to an indicating character, the thickness of the material at the bottom of said depressions being relatively less than the portions of the casing surrounding said depressions whereby the character is rendered distinguishable from the rear when the up er compartment of the casing is illuminatedl a relatively thin integral bottom portion in the lower compartment forming a relatively translucent wall, and a threaded bolt embedded in the partition to receive a securing element for securing a cover plate to the rim of the casing.

, 2. A signal casing comprising an integral cup-shaped member having an annular rim, an integral partition dividing said easing into upper and lower compartments, and extending for the full depth of said cup-shaped member to entirely separate said compartments, said casing and partition being formed of translucent material having a degree of light obstruction proportional to its thickness, an integral bottom portion forming a wall of the upper compartment and provided with relatively deep depressions conforming in outline to an indicating character, the thickness of the material at the bottom of the depressions being relatively less than the portions of the casing surrounding 

